Delta's Ijala Communities Threaten Refinery Shutdown Amidst INEC Ward Delineation Dispute

Several communities within the Ijala axis, specifically those previously part of the Obodo/Omadino Ward in Delta State's Warri South Local Government Area, have issued a stern warning: they will halt operations at vital oil fields and depots situated in their vicinity. This threat stems from their contention that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has failed to assign distinct electoral wards to their localities during the current ward delineation process.

On Sunday, a significant number of residents, including elders, women, and young people from Ifiekporo, Ajaetan, Ikeren, and Utunwa communities, converged on the Ifiekporo community hall. They organized a peaceful demonstration there to voice their displeasure regarding the ongoing INEC ward delineation.

Speaking to reporters on behalf of the protesting communities, Pa Michael Domino explained that the peaceful assembly was necessitated by the disregard shown to all previous civil and constitutional efforts. These efforts aimed to push their demand for the existing Obodo/Omadino electoral ward to be split into four distinct, independent wards.

Pa Domino lamented, stating, “Since the inception of this Local Government Area in 1991, both the government and leaders in Warri South have consistently failed to recognize our significant population increase and economic contribution, factors that underpin this LGA's oil-producing status. The Ijala Axis, comprising four communities within the Warri Islands, hosts numerous oil companies, including the Warri Refinery, and possesses fertile lands that are crucial to Warri South's economy today.”

He further asserted, “Our call for the establishment of an Ijala Ward, carved out from the current Obodo/Omadino Ward, is entirely justified, given our demographic size and economic capacity to function as an independent ward.” He clarified that Obodo and Omadino are two self-governing communities within Warri South, alongside others like Ifie, Ajaetan, Ikeren, Utunwa, Ubeji, Egbokodo, Orere-Uluba, Ubiro, Aja-Osolo, Uwakeno, Ugboritseduwa, Ubarira, Ugbikoko, and Jaluwa-Efueye. Detailing their disappointment, he added, “When the Supreme Court-mandated ward delineation began in 2023, INEC officials conducted fieldwork in our communities. However, to our profound dismay, none of the proposals presented by INEC to various ethnic stakeholders included a single ward for us. We remain frustratingly confined within the Obodo/Omadino ward.”

Pa Domino questioned INEC's rationale, asking, “Is INEC implying that our population has not grown since 1991? Are they suggesting that only individuals with significant financial influence or a propensity for violence are deemed worthy of ward allocations? How is it conceivable that INEC can propose three wards for the Warri GRA riverbank — essentially a commercial hub where people conduct business before returning to their residences in Ogbe-Ijoh and adjacent LGAs — yet fail to propose a similar arrangement for Ijala?”

While acknowledging President Bola Tinubu's efforts in intervening to avert potential crises during the ward delineation within the Warri Federal Constituency, the demonstrators pointed out that INEC's actions had only clarified issues in Warri North and Warri South-West, leaving their concerns in Warri South unaddressed.

He further warned, “It is important to remind the Federal Government that numerous critical oil installations are located within our territory. These include oil fields operated by Conoil and Seplat, as well as petroleum depots such as Matrix Energy Ltd, AYM Shafa, Pinnacle Oil and Gas, Parker Oil, A&E Petro, Keonamex Oil and Gas, and the Warri Refinery itself.”

Pa Domino unequivocally stated, “We want to assure all Nigerians that we will not hesitate to shut down vital oil fields and depots should INEC fail to allocate the rightfully deserved Ijala ward to us. We refuse to remain passive and be ignored once more as INEC finalizes its delineation report for the Warri Federal Constituency.” He concluded with a firm stance: “For us, the allocation of Ijala ward is non-negotiable; it is a matter of ‘now or never.’ Otherwise, we will resort to the only method the Federal Government appears to comprehend – by disrupting the nation’s economy.”

Other community representatives present, including Pa William Ejegi, Mrs Abigail Tonukarin, Mr Francis Eyifoma, Mr Alfred Edon, and Comrade Tuoyo Ebigbeyi, reiterated these strong positions, emphasizing that the communities would be left with no alternative but to cease all oil operations if their demands are not addressed.